Intelligent blending system

ABSTRACT

A blending system includes a blender base and a container. The blender base includes a housing that houses a motor. The container is attachable to the blender base. The blending system includes a user device that communicates with the blender base. The user device may communicate with a remote computing device. The user device generates instructions and recipes for the blender base.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. Utility application Ser. No.16/022,789 entitled “INTELLIGENT BLENDING SYSTEM,” filed on Jun. 29,2018 which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/527,781 entitled “INTELLIGENT BLENDING SYSTEM,” filed on Jun. 30,2017, each of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a blending system and, moreparticularly, to a blending system that monitors and directs a blendingprocess for blending of foodstuff and a blending container with anintegrated scale.

BACKGROUND

Blenders and blending systems are often used to blend and processfoodstuffs. Frozen, frosty, or icy drinks have become increasinglypopular. Such drinks include the traditional shakes, and the morerecently popular smoothies. Shakes, or milk shakes, are typically formedof ice cream and/or milk, and flavored as desired, with or withoutadditives, such as candies, chocolates, peanut butter, fruits, etc.Milkshakes typically are available at most fast-food restaurants, suchas burger chains, and may be made by special machines, or hand-madeusing mixers.

Smoothies tend to be healthier, and may be formed of ice, frozen yogurt,and/or sorbet. Smoothies may include additives such as fruits, fruitjuice, vegetables, vitamins, supplements, etc. Smoothies typically areavailable from specialty chains or juice bars, and may be made with acommercial or restaurant-grade blender. Such drinks also may be made athome, using a personal blender.

One disadvantage with making any such drinks (examples of which areidentified above), or utilizing blenders, is the difficulty in blendingto a user's specific tastes or preferences due to the specificingredients required in some recipes. Another disadvantage with makingsuch drinks is the difficulty in measuring ingredients.

Users tend to add ingredients without measuring properly, in a wrongorder, or by estimating amounts. Further, users may alter recipes toavoid or include certain ingredients. These alterations may change aresulting consistency or texture of a final blended drink. Users alsostruggle with fully utilizing the features of appliances in theirkitchen and products and services they are purchasing from or subscribedto, as well as have issues consistently using their equipment to producegood results.

In commercial kitchens, businesses that make recipe-based beveragesstruggle to have consistency in their product. This is caused by anumber of factors including incorrect ingredients, incorrect order ofthe ingredients, incorrect amounts of a given ingredient, andpotentially incorrect processing of the ingredients.

Commercial kitchens must rely on proper training and well-definedprocedures. Companies are constantly creating more product offerings,and these establishments frequently have a constant turnover ofemployees. These issues make consistency in how a specific product ismade even more challenging. Color-coded measuring scoops andcustom-printed instructions for a given order are implemented in somecommercial kitchens to try to achieve the desired consistency in theirproducts.

Therefore, a need exists for improved systems and methods for blendingcontents in a blender. Further, there is a need for monitoring anddirecting preparation of foodstuff.

SUMMARY

The following presents a summary of this disclosure to provide a basicunderstanding of some aspects. This summary is intended to neitheridentify key or critical elements nor define any limitations ofembodiments or claims. Furthermore, this summary may provide asimplified overview of some aspects that may be described in greaterdetail in other portions of this disclosure.

A blender system is described herein. The blending system may include ablender base comprising a housing and a motor disposed within thehousing, a container selectively attached to the blender base, and auser device operatively communicating with the blender base. The userdevice may operatively alter an inventory stored in a memory, whereinthe inventory comprises a list of ingredients and quantities of theavailable ingredients based on recognizing ingredients and monitoringuse of the ingredients. In another aspect, the user device may compriseat least one sensor operatively capturing an image of at least oneingredient, capturing an image of packaging of the at least oneingredient, a bar code associated with the at least one ingredient, oran identification code associated with the at least one ingredient. Theblending system may comprise a weight sensor that operatively measuresan amount of at least one ingredient added into the container. The userdevice may monitor the use of the ingredients by altering the inventorbased at least in part on measurements received from the weight sensor.It is noted that the container may comprise the weight sensor, theblender base may comprise the weight sensor, or the weight sensor mayselectively attach to at least one of the blender base or the container.Moreover, the user device may operatively send instructions to a remotedatabase to alter the inventory.

Also described is a blending system comprising a blender base comprisinga housing and a motor disposed within the housing, a containerselectively attached to the blender base, a user device operativelycommunicating with the blender base, and a remote computing devicecommunicatively coupled to the user device. The user device generatesinstructions for preparation of foodstuff according to informationreceived from the remote computing device. The remote computing devicecomprises an application program interface defining protocols forcommunication with at least one of the blender base or the user device.In an example, the remote computing device comprises a business logiccomponent. The business logic component receives information from theblender base regarding sensory data. The business logic may additionallyor alternatively automatically order ingredients based on a history offoodstuff preparation.

Further described is a blender system comprising a point of sale deviceoperatively receiving input defining an order of a product to beblended, a blender station comprising a blender base comprising ahousing and a motor disposed within the housing, and at least one otherstation for preparing the product. The point of sale device associates ablending container with the product and defines a set of instructionsfor preparing the product, the set of instructions to be performed atleast partial at the blender station and the at least one other station.The point of sale device, the blender station, and the at least oneother station each comprise at least one near field communicationdevice. The blending container comprises a near field communicationdevice and that stores an identification token and communicates theidentification token with at least one of the point of sale device, theblender station, and the at least one other station. The point of saledevice associates the identification token with the order. The at leastone other station identifies operatively communicates with the nearfield communication device of the container to receive theidentification token, and communicated with the point of sale device todetermine whether the identification token is associate with an openorder. In an aspect, the at least one station comprises at least one ofa liquid dispensing station, a dry-goods dispensing station, or an icedispensing station. Further, the blending system may comprise a databasestoring blending container profiles, the blending container profilescomprising identification tokens and histories of use.

The following description and the drawings disclose various illustrativeaspects. Some improvements and novel aspects may be expresslyidentified, while others may be apparent from the description anddrawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate various systems, apparatuses,devices and methods, in which like reference characters refer to likeparts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 operating environment or functional blending system capable ofimplementing one or more systems, apparatuses, or processes describedabove in accordance with various embodiments described here herein

FIG. 2 is an exemplary workflow diagram of a cooking procedure inaccordance with various disclosed embodiments in accordance with variousembodiments described herein;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary smart kitchen system in accordance with variousembodiments described herein;

FIG. 4 is an environmental view of exemplary commercial kitchen systemin accordance with various embodiments described herein;

FIG. 5 is an exemplary blending system for ordering and preparation ofproducts in accordance with various embodiments described herein;

FIG. 6 continues the ordering and preparation procedure of FIG. 5 inaccordance with various embodiments described herein;

FIG. 7 is a an exemplary preparation process in accordance with variousembodiments described herein;

FIG. 8 is an environmental diagram of an exemplary communication systemin accordance with various embodiments disclosed herein; and

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a functional computer system in accordancewith various embodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made to exemplary embodiments, examples of whichare illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understoodthat other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functionalchanges may be made. Moreover, features of the various embodiments maybe combined or altered. As such, the following description is presentedby way of illustration only and should not limit in any way the variousalternatives and modifications that may be made to the illustratedembodiments. In this disclosure, numerous specific details provide athorough understanding of the subject disclosure. It should beunderstood that aspects of this disclosure may be practiced with otherembodiments not necessarily including all aspects described herein, etc.

As used herein, the words “example” and “exemplary” mean an instance, orillustration. The words “example” or “exemplary” do not indicate a keyor preferred aspect or embodiment. The word “or” is intended to beinclusive rather an exclusive, unless context suggests otherwise. As anexample, the phrase “A employs B or C,” includes any inclusivepermutation (e.g., A employs B; A employs C; or A employs both B and C).As another matter, the articles “a” and “an” are generally intended tomean “one or more” unless context suggest otherwise.

Moreover, terms such as “access point,” “server,” and the like, areutilized interchangeably, and refer to a network component or appliancethat serves and receives control data, voice, video, sound, or otherdata-stream or signaling-stream. Data and signaling streams may bepacketized or frame-based flows. Furthermore, the terms “user,”“customer,” “consumer,” and the like are employed interchangeablythroughout the subject specification, unless context suggests otherwiseor warrants a particular distinction among the terms. It is noted thatsuch terms may refer to human entities or automated components supportedthrough artificial intelligence (e.g., a capacity to make inference).Still further, “user,” “customer,” “consumer,” may include a commercialestablishment(s), such as a restaurant, restaurant chain, commercialkitchen, grocery store, convenience store, ice-cream shop, smoothierestaurant, or the like.

“Logic” refers to any information and/or data that may be applied todirect the operation of a processor. Logic may be formed frominstruction signals stored in a memory (e.g., a non-transitory memory).Software is one example of logic. In another aspect, logic may includehardware, alone or in combination with software. For instance, logic mayinclude digital and/or analog hardware circuits, such as hardwarecircuits comprising logical gates (e.g., AND, OR, XOR, NAND, NOR, andother logical operations). Furthermore, logic may be programmed and/orinclude aspects of various devices and is not limited to a singledevice.

A network typically includes a plurality of elements that host logic. Inpacket-based wide-area networks (WAN), servers (e.g., devices comprisinglogic) may be placed at different points on the network. Servers maycommunicate with other devices and/or databases. In another aspect, aserver may provide access to a user account. The “user account” includesattributes for a particular user and commonly include a uniqueidentifier (ID) associated with the user. The ID may be associated witha particular mobile device and/or blender device owned by the user. Theuser account may also include information such as relationships withother users, application usage, location, personal settings, and otherinformation.

Embodiments may utilize substantially any wired or wireless network. Forinstance, embodiments may utilize various radio access network (RAN),e.g., Wi-Fi, global system for mobile communications, universal mobiletelecommunications systems, worldwide interoperability for microwaveaccess, enhanced general packet radio service, third generationpartnership project long term evolution (3G LTE), fourth generation longterm evolution (4G LTE), third generation partnership project 2,BLUETOOTH®, ultra mobile broadband, high speed packet access, x^(th)generation long term evolution, or another IEEE 802.XX technology.Furthermore, embodiments may utilize wired communications.

It is noted that, terms “user equipment,” “user device,” “user equipmentdevice,” “client,” and the like are utilized interchangeably in thesubject application, unless context warrants particular distinction(s)among the terms. Such terms may refer to a network component(s) orappliance(s) that sends or receives data, voice, video, sound, orsubstantially any data-stream or signaling-stream to or from networkcomponents and/or other devices. By way of example, a user equipmentdevice may comprise an electronic device capable of wirelessly sendingand receiving data. A user equipment device may have a processor, amemory, a transceiver, an input, and an output. Examples of such devicesinclude cellular telephones (e.g., smart phones), personal digitalassistants (PDAs), portable computers, tablet computers (tablets), handheld gaming counsels, wearables (e.g., smart watches), desktopcomputers, etc.

It is noted that user equipment devices can communicate with each otherand with other elements via a network, for instance, a wireless network,or a wireline network. A “network” can include broadband wide-areanetworks such as cellular networks, local-area networks, wirelesslocal-area networks (e.g., Wi-Fi), and personal area networks, such asnear-field communication networks including BLUETOOTH®. Communicationacross a network may include packet-based communications, radio andfrequency/amplitude modulations networks, and the like. Communicationmay be enabled by hardware elements called “transceivers.” Transceiversmay be configured for specific networks and a user equipment device mayhave any number of transceivers configured for various networks. Forinstance, a smart phone may include a cellular transceiver, a Wi-Fitransceiver, a BLUETOOTH® transceiver, or may be hardwired. In thoseembodiments in which it is hardwired, any appropriate kind or type ofnetworking cables may be utilized. For example, USB cables, dedicatedwires, coaxial cables, optical fiber cables, twisted pair cables,Ethernet, HDMI and the like.

It is noted that the various embodiments described herein may includeother components and/or functionality. It is further noted that whilevarious embodiments refer to a blender or a blender system, variousother systems may be utilized in view of embodiments described herein.For example, embodiments may be utilized in food processor systems,mixing systems, hand-held blending systems, various other foodpreparation systems, and the like. As such, references to a blender,blender system, and the like, are understood to include food processorsystems, and other mixing systems. Such systems generally include ablender base that may include a motor, a controller, a display, a memoryand a processor. Further, such systems may include a blending containerand a blade assembly. The blade assembly, the blending container, andthe blender base may removably or irremovably attached. The blendingcontainer may be powered in any appropriate manner, such as disclosed inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/213,557, entitled Powered BlendingContainer, which is hereby incorporated by reference. In another aspect,described blending systems may include devices and methods such as thosedisclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/623,207, entitledIntelligent Blending System, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Foodstuff may be added to the blender container. Furthermore, whileblending of “ingredients,” “contents” or “foodstuffs” is described byvarious embodiments, it is noted that non-food stuff may be mixed orblended, such as paints, epoxies, construction material (e.g., mortar,cement, etc.), and the like. Further, the blending systems may includeany household blender and/or any type of commercial blending system,including those with covers that may encapsulate or partiallyencapsulate the blender. Further, commercial blending systems mayinclude an overall blending system, such as a modular blending systemthat may include the blender along with other components, such as acleaner, foodstuff storage device (including a refrigerator), an icemaker and/or dispenser, a foodstuff dispenser (a liquid or powderflavoring dispenser) or any other combination of such.

As used herein, the phrases “blending process,” “blending program,” andthe like are used interchangeably unless context suggest otherwise orwarrants a particular distinction among such terms. A blending processmay comprise a series or sequence of blender settings and operations tobe carried out by the blending device. In an aspect, a blending processmay comprise at least one motor speed and at least one time interval forthe given motor speed. For example, a blending process may comprise aseries of blender motor speeds to operate the blender blade at the givenspeed, a series of time intervals corresponding to the given motorspeeds, and other blender parameters and timing settings. The blendingprocess may further include a ramp up speed that defines the amount oftime the motor takes to reach its predetermined motor speed. Theblending process may be stored on a memory and recalled by orcommunicated to the blending device.

Moreover, blending of foodstuff or ingredients may result in a blendedproduct. Such blended products may include drinks, frozen drinks,smoothies, shakes, soups, purees, sorbets, butter (nut), dips or thelike. It is noted that various other blended products may result fromblending ingredients. Accordingly, terms such as “blended product” or“drink” may be used interchangeably unless context suggests otherwise orwarrants a particular distinction among such terms. Moreover, such termsare not intended to limit possible blended products and should be viewedas examples of possible blended products.

Traditionally, consumers rely on their knowledge of their kitchenappliances, food, and cooking knowledge to utilize the features of theirappliances. Consumers may also subscribe to grocery or meal kit deliveryservices. Such deliver systems may not have any context of eachconsumer's cooking ability or appliances that they own. Thus, consumersmay have to rely on their cooking skills to select meal kits and attemptto produce meals based on the meal kit.

Aspects of systems, apparatuses or processes described herein generallyrelate to blending or mixing systems. Embodiments of blender systems andmethods may identify a user's equipment, identify food items a user has,food items or services to which a user subscribes, and may fuse theinformation together to provide a better cooking experience. Forinstance, described embodiments may determine available recipes,generate instructions for executing a recipe, order food items ordevices, and the like based at least in part on the fused information.

In an embodiment, a user device may include a software application or“app.” The app may communicate with various devices, users, databases orthe like. For instance, the app may interact with a user, a blenderdevice, a blender container, sensors, other user devices (e.g., tablets,scales, refrigerators, other appliances, etc.), databases (includingthird-party databases), and the like.

Another aspect of the disclosed subject matter relates to determiningdietary or fitness goals based on a history of utilized recipes anddefined rules. A user may set preferences for fitness or dietary goals(e.g., calories, etc.). The fitness/dietary goals may include limits orthresholds on intake of certain substances or properties of substances(e.g., sugars, fats, calories, sodium, etc.). A recipe may be generatedand/or suggestions for altering a recipe may be generated based on thefitness/dietary goals. For instance, actual recipes that a user hasutilized may be stored and systems or methods described herein maysuggest substitution of ingredients based on the fitness/dietary goalsand/or other user preferences.

In an example, an intelligent blending system may include a blenderdevice, a user device, and a scale or measurement device that may beexternal to or part of the blender device or the user device. The usermay interact with the various devices by providing input. In an aspect,the user may enter blending preferences into a user device. Thepreference may include a level of thickness, texture, a desiredtemperature, calorie or other dietary levels, and the like of the endproduct. As the user selects ingredients to add to the blending device,the user may input the type of ingredient and/or status of theingredient to the user device. Further, the scale may measure a quantityof each ingredient and communicate the quantity to the user device.Based on the input, the user device may determine a blending process toachieve a user's goal or preference. The user device may communicate theblending process to the blending device and the blending device mayimplement the blending process. It is noted that blending preferencesmay also be based on predefined preferences, dynamically determinedpreferences and/or preferences received from other users.

Referring now to FIG. 1 , there depicted is an operating environment orfunctional blending system 100 capable of implementing one or moresystems, apparatuses, or processes described above. While shown asseparate or distinct components, the components of blending system 100may be comprised by one or more components. Further, the blending system100 may include a plurality of blending devices that may be linkedtogether through a network and transceivers. These blending devices maybe operatively linked with a server that may operate or otherwise updatethe plurality of blending devices.

Blending system 100 may generally comprise a user device 102, a blenderdevice 110, a blender container 120, an application program interface(API) 130, a meal kit component 140, a database 142, and a businesslogic component 132. It is further noted that one or more devices maycomprise, at least in part, the various components. For instance, asingle component of system 100 may be comprised by one or more devices.Further, the system 100 may include a plurality of blending devices thatmay be linked together through a network and transceivers. Theseblending devices may be operatively linked with a server that mayoperate or otherwise update the plurality of blending devices. It isnoted that system 100 may include other devices, such as scales,appliances, or the like.

The user device 102 may include a memory, and processor. The memory maybe configured for storing computer executable applications. Theprocessor may facilitate operation of the computer executablecomponents. It is noted that while embodiments described the user device102 as comprising an app, the app may be comprised of one or more otherdevices. For instance, portions of the app may be comprised of the userdevice 102, blender device 110, in a remote device (e.g., a clouddevice), or the like.

The user device 102 may communicate with various components of theblending system 100 via a communications interface (e.g., NFC,BLUETOOTH, etc.). In at least one embodiment, user device 102 mayinclude an NFC device that operatively communicates with NFC devices ofother components, such as an NFC device of the blender device 110, theblender container 120, or of other components (e.g., a scale, apoint-of-sale device, attachments, etc.). As an example, the user device102 may communicate with the blender container 120 to determineparameters of the container (e.g., make, model, capacity,functionalities, etc.).

In an aspect, the user device 102 may determine or monitor ingredientsadded or within the blending container 120. For instance, the userdevice 102 may receive data from the blending container 120 throughwired or wireless communication, optical recognition, olfactoryrecognition, or the like. It is noted that data may be user input in theform of text, voice input, selection of a prompt (e.g., user selecting acheck box, etc.), or the like. For example, the user may type “spinach”via an input device (e.g., touch screen, keyboard, etc.) of the userdevice 102. In another example, the user may speak a term or phrase intoa microphone and device 102 may utilize a speech recognition process todetermine the identity or other aspects of the ingredient. Furtherexamples allow a user to scroll through a list of ingredients and selecta representation of spinach (e.g., textual, graphical, etc.).

In another aspect, user device 102 may include or may communicate withother systems, such as cameras, optical scanning devices, opticalscanners, spectrometer, multi-wave length scanner, electronic noses, orthe like. Based on input from the other systems, user device 102 maydetermine an identity of an ingredient. User device 102 may utilizeimage recognition techniques to identify an image received as input. Forexample, a user may utilize user device 102 to capture an image of oneor more ingredients, such as ingredients disposed in container 120and/or within meal kit 140. The user device 102 may communicate with thedatabase 142 via the API 130 (e.g., according to instructions 106). Itis noted that the API 130 may comprise program or subroutinedefinitions, protocols, and defined methods of communication betweenvarious components of blending system 100.

The database 102 may comprise stored image patterns associated withingredients. The user device 102 may identify an ingredient based on theimage pattern. In another aspect, the user device 102 may upload imagepatterns to the database 142 and may associate the image patterns withingredients. The database 142 may store the image patterns as newentries and/or may associate an image pattern with an existing entry.

In another aspect, identified ingredients may be added to a list ofingredients for a current blending process. It is noted that user device102 may utilize other methods or processes of identifying an ingredient,such as scanning a barcode, label, radio frequency identification (RFID)tag, or other identifier on a product or product packaging, such asmarking or tags on the meal kit 140. The prepackaged foodstuff mayinclude at least one of the aforementioned devices to communicate withthe user device 102 to identify the contents of the prepackagedfoodstuff.

For instance, the user device 102 may scan an identifier comprised bymeal kit 140, food packing (e.g., frozen food packaging, boxed food,canned food, or the like) using NFC technology, or an image capturingdevice (e.g., a barcode reader, camera, etc.). The user device 102 maycommunicate with the business logic component 132 to add the scanneditem to inventory, as described herein. The inventory may be tracked ina cloud-computing device 108.

The user device 102 may recognize the meal kit 140, packaging, or thelike and may communicate such to the business logic component 132.Recognizing may include communicating with database 142 to identify aningredient. The user device 102 may, for example, monitor ingredientsadded to container 120 for consumption. In at least one embodiment, theuser device 102 may determine a quantity associated with an ingredient.The quantity may be based on user input, image recognition, informationreceived from meal kit 140, input from a scale (e.g., which may be aseparate device or may be comprised by the user device 102, blendingcontainer 120, blender device 110, etc.), or other device. For instance,user device 102 may recognize a gradient mark on blending container 120.In embodiments, a user may override measurement data or other data viaan interface of the user device 102. For instance, a user may alter aweight or identity of an ingredient.

It is noted that the scale may be integrated with the blending container120. The integrated scale may allow a user to add ingredients to theblending container 120 when it is on a counter or on blender device 110.The scale may be integrated within the body of the blending container120, in a lining of the blending container 120, in a blade assembly, orother portion of the blending container 120. In another aspect, thescale may comprise an attachment to the blending container 120. Forinstance, a scale may be attached to a base of a blending container 120or other portion. In one exemplary embodiment, a weight sensor orplurality thereof may be integrated into or attached to an apron orskirt on the bottom of the blending container 120. In one specificembodiment, the weight sensors may be molded into the skirt of theblending container 120 to be operatively positioned to weigh ingredientsadded to the blending container 120. The weight sensor or sensors may beable to weigh an amount of ingredients added to the blending container120. The weight sensor or sensors may be able to tare the blendingcontainer 120, i.e., deduct the weight of the container from the weightreadings to determine the weight of the ingredient or ingredients addedto the blending container 120. In another aspect, a user may tare theweight sensors via the user device 102 or via an input device of thecontainer. It is noted that taring may operatively occur automaticallyor manually (e.g., based on user input). For example, the user device102 may determine an identity of the container 120 and may retrieve aweight associated with the container 120. In another example, a user maypress a button to tare the weight sensor(s).

The scale or weight sensor(s) may be operatively coupled with the userdevice 102 so as to communicate weights of ingredients added to theblending container 120. In other embodiments, the scale or weightsensor(s) may operatively communicate directly with the blender device110, which may then communicate with the user device 102.

According to various embodiments, a scale may be integrated into theblending container 120 in a manner that permits the scaled to becalibrated accurately after each use or at other times, is able to tare(i.e., deduct the weight of the container from the weight readings todetermine the weight of the ingredient or ingredients added to theblending container 120) and is dishwasher safe. In these and otherembodiments, the scale may comprise a force sensor, pressure sensor,load sensor, strain device, or the like. A few exemplary sensors mayinclude a square force-sensitive resistor, a Honeywell FSG, anomnipolar, magnetically activated switch sensor that is hermiticallysealed and resistant against moisture. These, however, are merelyexamples of sensors that may be utilized as the scale.

Further, the sensor or scale may be integrated into the blendingcontainer 120 such that it is fully sealed and the blending container120 remains dishwasher safe and is food safe. This may be accomplishedin any manner such as through a sealed chamber in the blending container120 (such as on the skirt thereof), in a portion overmolded onto theblending container 120, on a separate sealed member attached to theblending container 120 in any appropriate manner, or within a portion ofa blade assembly. Sealing of the sensor or scale prevents moistureentering therein while allowing the sensor or scale to remain sensitiveto determine and record the appropriate weights.

Further still, a water-resistant or water-proof scale or sensor may beutilized. In these embodiments, the water-resistant or water-proof scalemay be operatively connected with the blending container 120 so that theblending container 120 may operatively act as a scale while remainingdishwasher and food safe. The scale and/or sensor can remain operationaldespite water coming into contact therewith.

The scale may be configured to calibrate itself or be calibrated by auser device 102 (or other component of system 100, such as blenderdevice 110) after each use of the blending container 120 on the blendingdevice 110. During blending, the blending container 120 is subjected tovibration. The scale and/or sensors are configured to withstand thisvibration and then calibrate to zero once the blending container 120 isemptied. This will allow a user to add ingredients to the blendingcontainer 120 again and measure the weight of the ingredient beingadded. The scale may be configured to communicate with user device 102such that when a first recipe is done, the scale automaticallyrecalibrates back to zero.

Further, the scale may be able to withstand the vibration that occurs tothe blending container 120 during operation of the blender device 110.The scale may be attached or integrated with the blending container 120such that the vibrations do not affect the efficacy of the scale. Thescale may include mechanical attachment devices, such as a biasingportion that allows the scale to remain at an operative position despitethe vibrations. Further, the scale may include software that accountsfor the vibrations that occur during operation to accurately weighingredients being added to the blending container 120. It should beunderstood that these are merely examples of mechanism to account forthe vibrations. However, the present disclosure contemplates anyappropriate configuration or method.

In at least one embodiment, the system 100 may test or evaluate theefficacy of the scale. For example, a user may place an amount of aparticular ingredient (e.g., water) into the blending container 120. Theuser device 102 may determine the quantity of water based on scanningthe blending container 120 (e.g., via an optical scanner) or user input.For an ingredient with a known weight per volume, the user device 102may compare the sensor(s) reading to an expected weight. In an aspect,the user device 102 may determine a degree of accuracy, diagnose issues,adjust the sensor(s), or calibrate the sensor(s).

As ingredients are added, the user device 102 may communicate with thecloud-computing device 108 to update inventory. In another aspect, thebusiness logic component 132 may automatically decrement inventorystored in the cloud computing device 108 (and/or stored on the userdevice 106) as products are scanned or blended.

Business logic component 132 may assist a user in managing inventory,appliances, or the like. For instance, the business logic component 132may monitor inventory and may replenish items as they are utilized. Inan example, the business logic component 132 may determine wheninventory of an item falls below a threshold that may be automaticallyset or set by a user. When the inventory falls below the threshold, thebusiness logic component 132 may automatically order the item for theuser, may prompt a user for an order, or otherwise generate an alert toa user to identify the inventory.

In another aspect, the user device 102 may receive informationassociated with the blender device 110, container 120, or the like. Inan example, the user device 102 may communicate with NFC components ofthe blender device 110 or container 120. The NFC component may provideidentifying information, such as a make, model, ID, or other data. Inanother aspect, the user device 102 may capture an image of the blenderdevice 110 or container 120. It is noted that the user device 102 mayscan or identify other components, such as attachments, accessories, orthe like. It is noted that the user device 102 may utilize NFC or otherwireless devices to communicate with various items.

According to at least some embodiments, the container 120, the blenderbase 110 or other components may not include an NFC tag or otherwireless technology. As such, user device 102 may capture images (e.g.,still or moving) to facilitate determining the identity of suchcomponents. As an example, the user device 102 may include a camera thatcaptures an image of the component. The user device 102 may communicatewith the database 142. The database 142 may comprise a library of storedimage patterns. The business logic component 132 may identify matches orlikely matches to the captured image from image patterns stored in theimage database. The business logic component 132 may return the matchesor likely matches to the user device 102. The user device 102 may renderresults of the matching via an interface device (e.g., camera, speaker,etc.). The user device 102 may prompt a user to identify whether a matchis correct and/or select a match from a set of likely matches. If a useridentifies that the component is not listed in the match or set ofmatches, the user device 102 may ask the user to capture the item againand/or may instruct the business logic component 132 to select otherpossible matches.

Once a user has confirmed the component with the matches produced by thebusiness logic component 132, the business logic component 132 may setthe identity of the component or “context” for the app on the userdevice 102. Context can mean content, recipes, features andfunctionalities, compatible devices, cross-sell/up-sell opportunities,or the like.

In at least one aspect, the user device 102 may register a matchedcomponent with an account associated with the user device 102 and/or auser account. For instance, the user device 102 may automaticallyregister the matched component to a user's account. In another example,the user device 102 may prompt a user for input to register a component.It is noted that the registration process may be mandatory or optional.

User device 102 (e.g., via the app) may orchestrate food preparation viaone or more user interfaces. In an aspect, the user device 102 maygenerate instructions for food preparation based on a user selectedblending program, automatically determined blending program based oncontext of ingredients, or the like. In at least one aspect, the userdevice 102 may identify a blending program based on an identity of themeal kit 140 and/or instructions received from the meal kit 140, such asthrough an NFC device.

In an aspect, the instructions for food preparation may includeinstructions that prompt user action, instruct appliances to perform aprocess, and the like. It is further noted that user device 102 may sendinstructions to appliances, such as an oven or blender device 110. In anexample, the user device 102 may instruct an oven to preheat or beginheating. In another aspect, the user device 102 may set parameters forthe blender device 110. For instance, the user device 102 may generate ablending process comprising instructions (e.g., power settings, bladespeeds, blending patterns, timing information, etc.).

It is noted that instructions may be based on attributes associated withcontent to be blended (e.g., quantities, statuses, characteristics,ratios, etc.), identities of blender devices, containers, appliances, orother context. Moreover, a user may provide input and/or user device 102may identify user preferences associated with a user account. Suchpreferences may include desired consistency, temperature, colorpreferences, caloric preferences, quantity preferences, power usagepreferences, or the like.

Turning now to FIG. 2 , with reference to FIG. 1 , there is an exemplaryworkflow diagram 200 of a cooking procedure in accordance with variousdisclosed embodiments. In this example, a user 208 selects to execute arecipe for cookie dough via user device 102. While the cooking procedureor method is shown and described as comprising actions at particulartimes, it is noted that different recipes may comprise different actionsor procedures that may occur at different times. Moreover, variousactions may be completed by one or more of users, mechanical machines,automated assembly machines (e.g., including one or more processors orcomputing devices), or the like.

At time 250, user device 102 may generate an instruction that iscommunicated to appliance 240 through communications network 208. Forinstance, the user may select to execute a cookie recipe via the userdevice. It is noted that the user may use a touch screen, microphone,image scanner (e.g., scanning a QR code on a meal kit), or otherwiseprovide input to select the recipe.

User device 102 may (e.g., via business logic 132) generate instructionsassociated with the cookie recipe. The user device 102 may instructappliance 240 to preheat. It is noted that while appliance 240 isdescribed as an oven, user device 102 may communicate with various otherappliances. In another aspect, the user device 102 may generate aninstruction via a user interface, and the user 203 may set a temperaturefor the appliance 240.

At 252, the user device 102 may instruct the user 203 to gatheringredients. It is noted that the user device 102 may instruct the user203 to gather specific quantities of ingredients. When the user 203gathers ingredients, the user device 102 may scan the ingredients todetermine whether the user has gathered the appropriate ingredients inthe appropriate quantities. In an aspect, the user device 102 maygenerate notifications to the user 203 if the user has not gathered theappropriate ingredients or quantities. In another aspect, the user 203may gather additional, alternative, or custom ingredients according tothe user's preference.

In at least one example, the user device 102 may provide suggestions onsubstitute ingredients. For instance, the user device 102 may recommendsubstitution of sugar with other sweeteners (e.g., honey, dates, etc.)The recommendation may include appropriate quantities. According toanother aspect, the user device 102 may generate recommendations basedon dietary goals, user preferences, a user's inventory, or the like.

At 254, the user device 102 may generate instructions for the user toplace ingredients into a blending container. The instructions mayinclude a step-by-step guide that identifies an order of ingredients tobe added to the blending container. In at least one aspect, user device102 may communicate with a measuring device to determine an amount ofeach ingredient added or to be added to the container. For instance, theuser 203 may place ingredients on a scale and the user device 102 maycommunicate with the scale to determine a quantity. It is noted that ablender base may include a scale, a blending container may include ascale, or the container (or base) may be positioned on a scale. Inanother aspect, the user device 102 may comprise a scale, which mayinclude pressure sensors.

The user device 102 may generate a customized blending process based onthe ingredients, quantities, blender device, blending container, orother context set by the user device 102. The user device 102 maycommunicate the blending process to the blending device 210. In anotheraspect, the user device 102 may generate instructions to be performed bya user 203. The instructions for the user may include tips on blending,such as speeds, tamper use, pulse blending, use of a spatula, or thelike.

At 256, all ingredients have been blended into cookie dough. The userdevice 102 may prompt the user 203 to prepare the cookie dough forbaking. For instance, the user device 102 may instruct a user to placethe cookie dough on a baking sheet and place the dough in the oven 240.In at least one aspect, the user device 102 may generate tips or tricksto prepare the blended dough. For instance, the user device 102 mayinstruct the user on spacing of the dough, size of the dough, whether touse a cooking spray or parchment paper, and the like. In an aspect, theuser device 102 may generate the tips or tricks based on the context ofthe ingredients. For instance, certain cookie doughs may requiredifferent spacing or the like.

The user 203 may utilize the user device 102 to scan the preparedfoodstuff to determine whether the user 203 has performed instructionsaccording to recommendations. For instance, the user device 203 may scandough placed on the cookie sheet. The user device 203 may capture animage of the dough and cookie sheet and may determine whether the usershould adjust the placement and/or size of the dough.

At 258, the user device 102 may instruct the appliance 240 to perform anoperation according to the recipe. In this example, the user device 102communicates with the appliance 240 to ensure the appliance is heated tothe appropriate temperature and may set parameters for operation of theappliance 240 (e.g., bake at a certain temperature for a certainduration of time. As described herein, user device 102 may additionallyor alternatively prompt the user 203 to set the appliance parameters.

In embodiments, the user device 102 may adjust instructions to a user,blending device 210, appliance 240, or the like. For instance, userdevice 102 may adjust instructions during a blending process and/or foodpreparation process. The user device 102 may generate adjustments basedon, for example, desired blend consistencies, ingredients, state ofingredients (e.g., frozen, raw, hot, canned, fresh, chopped, etc.), orthe like. In an example, the user device 102 may generate adjustmentsbased on a lookup table in a database, an algorithm, machine learning,or the like.

In another aspect, user device 102 may generate adjustments based onmonitoring parameters of blending. For instance, blending system 100 mayinclude one or more sensors 104. Sensors 104 may include temperaturesensors (e.g., thermometers, thermocouples, etc.), motion sensors (e.g.,gyroscopes, accelerometers, etc.), pressure sensors, optical sensors,current or voltage sensors, engine sensors, or the like. It is notedthat various components of blending system 100 may include sensors 104.In an example, the container 120 may include any kind of sensor that maysense or detect any aspect of the ingredients add, the blending process(including time, speed of material within the container, viscosity ofthe material, opaqueness of the material, etc.). The sensor may beintegrated into or otherwise attached with the container.

Sensors 104 may gather telemetry data and may communicate the data tovarious components of the blending system 100. For instances, sensorsmay communicate with the user device 102 via wireless (e.g., NFC) orwired communications. In another aspect, sensors may communicate with adatabase or network device through cloud 108.

According to embodiments, user device 102 may communicate telemetry datato API 130 via a communications network. Business logic component 132may perform diagnostics to compare the telemetry data to store dataassociated with the blender performances. In an aspect, the businesslogic component 132 may communicate adjustments to the user device 102.The user device 102 may generate instructions based on the adjustment.

In another aspect, the business logic component 132 may determinelikelihoods or probabilities associated with an issue occurring and maycommunicate the likelihood to the user device 102. The user device 102may make adjustments or generate instructions based on the likelihood ofthe issue.

In an aspect, blending system 100 (e.g., via user device 102, businesslogic 132, database 142, or other components of system 100) may utilizeartificial intelligence, statistical models, or other processes and/oralgorithms. In embodiments, system 100 may utilize classifiers that mapan attribute vector to a confidence that the attribute belongs to aclass. For instance, system 100 may input attribute vector, x=(x1, x2,x3, x4, xn) mapped to f(x)=confidence(class). Such classification canemploy a probabilistic and/or statistical based analysis (e.g.,factoring into the analysis affinities and ingredient attributes) toinfer an action that a user desires to be automatically performed,adjustments to be made, image recognition, ingredient quantities, or thelike. In various embodiments, system 100 may utilize other directed andundirected model classification approaches include, e.g., naïve Bayes,Bayesian networks, decision trees, neural networks, fuzzy logic models,and probabilistic classification models providing different patterns ofindependence. Classification may also include statistical regressionthat is utilized to develop models of priority. Further still,classification may also include data derived from another system, suchas cameras, optical scanning devices, optical scanners, spectrometer,multi-wave length scanner, electronic noses, or the like.

In accordance with various aspects of the subject specification, anexample embodiment may employ classifiers that are explicitly trained(e.g., via a generic training data) as well as implicitly trained (e.g.,via observing user behavior, blending information, user preferences,historical information, receiving extrinsic information). For example,support vector machines may be configured via learning or training phasewithin a classifier constructor and feature selection module. Thus, theclassifier(s) may be used to automatically learn and perform a number offunctions, including but not limited to determining identities ofingredients or devices, states and/or quantities of ingredients,additional ingredients to add to meet user preferences, blendingprocesses associated with functions of a blender motor, suggestedrecipes, target goals for dietary or fitness needs, and the like. Thislearning may be on an individual basis, i.e., based solely on a singleuser, or may apply across a set of or the entirety of the user base.Information from the users may be aggregated and the classifier(s) maybe used to automatically learn and perform a number of functions basedon this aggregated information. The information may be dynamicallydistributed, such as through an automatic update, a notification, or anyother method or means, to the entire user base, a subset thereof or toan individual user.

User device 102 and/or business logic component 132 may monitor blendingactivity, dietary information, and final blended products associatedwith a user. For instance, user device 102 may monitor a history of whatingredients were blended, how often a user blends contents, and thelike. Furthermore, user device 102 may include and/or communicate withother fitness or dietary systems including those from third parties. Inan example, user device 102 may be comprised within a wearable device,such as a smart watch. In such an instance, user device 102 may monitora user's activity (e.g., walking, running, exercise, etc.).

In another aspect, user device 102 may receive input from dietary orfitness systems. The input may include exercise information, informationabout other consumed food or drinks, and the like. The dietary orfitness systems may be any dietary or fitness system capable ofcommunicating via a wireless or wired connection. Such dietary orfitness system may include a wearable device, a Wi-Fi connected fitnessdevice (e.g., treadmill, gaming counsel, etc.), a gaming device (e.g., afitness game or program on a gaming device), a computer, laptop,smartphone, tablet or the like.

In embodiments, user device 102 may receive user provided input. Userinput may include information manually entered by a user, such as auser's exercise history, meals, calorie intake, and the like.Furthermore, user input may include user defined goals or dietarythresholds. Goals may include dietary thresholds or fitness goals.Fitness goals may include, for example, altering weight (e.g., weightloss or weight gain), increasing muscle mass, caloric intakes, and thelike. Dietary thresholds may include levels associated with intake ofcalories, sodium, fat, vitamins, or the like.

In another aspect, user device 102 may utilize information from variousother components to generate suggestions associated with goals and/orthresholds. For instance, user device 102 may suggest alterations (e.g.,substituting ingredients) in recipes to reduce caloric intake. Inanother example, user device 102 may generate information associatedwith an amount of exercise needed to burn off or utilize calories fromblended ingredients. The suggestion may include a type(s) of exercisebased on user's preferences or history. For example, if a user has anaffinity to jogging, then user device 102 may generate a suggestionindicating an amount of jogging (e.g., distance and/or time) needed toburn off the calories in the blended ingredients.

Moreover, user device 102 may communicate with other systems or devices.For instance, user device 102 may transmit output to an external system.The output may include dietary goals, blending history, and the like. Inanother aspect, output may include data instructing a display device tooutput a graphical user interface as described in more detail herein.

In at least one embodiment, user device 102 and other components ofsystem 100 may receive data from one or more server devices or othernetwork devices. The data may comprise update data for updatingsoftware, updating dietary information associated with ingredients orpotential ingredients, data generated by other users (e.g., user createdrecipes, friend requests, etc.), or the like. In some embodiments, userdevice 102 may store (e.g., locally or in cloud memory) dietaryinformation associated with ingredients or may receive the dietaryinformation from a remote storage device (e.g., a database).

In an aspect, receiving updated data may comprise downloading andrunning a software application. The software application may be capableof connecting to a network, such as the Internet. The softwareapplication may be capable of accessing step-by-step recipes or blendingprograms from a remote database or website, such as www.vitamix.com, anddownloading the recipes or programs to the wireless device.

In another aspect, user device 102 or other components of system 100(e.g., business logic component 132) may identify content for users topurchase For instance, user device 102 may identify content to bepurchased based on contextual analysis of a user's preferences, fooditems in inventory, ingredients blended, recipes blended, container 120,blender device 110, attachments, accessories associated with a userprofile, appliances, or other equipment associated with a user. Thecontent may include compatible containers, attachments, accessories,cookbooks, food items (e.g., ingredients, meal kits, frozen meal packs),or the like. In another aspect, user device 102 may connect to a user'ssocial media account(s) and may suggest other accounts for a user tofollow. For instance, user device 102 may perform contextual analysisand may identify an account of a store, physical fitness profile, or thelike for a user to follow.

According to another aspect, user device 102 may perform contextualanalysis and suggest products, colors of products or the like based on auser's kitchen. For example, the user device 102 may capture an image ofa kitchen. The image may include images of counter tops, appliances, orthe like. The user device 102 or other component of system 100 (e.g.,business logic component 132) may suggest a color shell for a blenderdevice 110 that may match a user's kitchen. As another example, the userdevice 102 may determine dimensions of a kitchen, such as space betweena counter top and a cabinet. The user device 102 may identify whether aparticular blender device 110 will fit the dimensions and may providethe user with recommended blender devices based on the fit.

It is noted that the user device 102 may generate a rendering of ablending device, attachment, or other content overlaid an image of theuser's kitchen. This may allow a user to visualize a blender device intheir kitchen prior to purchasing the device.

Turning now to FIG. 3 , there is an exemplary smart kitchen system 300in accordance with various disclosed aspects. It is noted that thesystem 300 may include various aspects described with reference to theother figures of this disclosure. System 300 primarily includes userdevice 302, blending device 310, remote server device 308, and serviceprovider network 306.

The blending device 310 may include telemetry sensors, such astemperature sensors (e.g., thermometers, thermocouples, etc.), motionsensors (e.g., gyroscopes, accelerometers, etc.), pressure sensors,optical sensors (e.g., cameras, etc.), current or voltage sensors,engine sensors, or the like. In another aspect, the blending device 310may include wireless communication devices that may communicate with auser device 302 or a remote server device 308, which may be acloud-computing device.

User device 302 may include a program or user application that mayreceive information from blending device 310, send information toblending device 310, receive information from an API 330 of remoteserver device 308, or send information to a remote server device 308through the API 330. In an aspect, the API 330 may be configured toprovide a communication protocol that may be extensible and may providea structured interface for various software programs or applications.The protocol may define routines, data structures, objects, variables,and the like for communication by and between the user device 302 andthe remote server device 308.

In at least one embodiment, a device communication component 340 mayprovide for direct communication between the blending device 310 and theremote server device 308. This communication component 340 may define aseparate protocol defining routines, data structures, objects,variables, and the like for communication other than through the userdevice 302. For instance, some user may not have a user device 302 ormay select not to use a user device 302 for a given blending process.Thus, the blending device 310 may directly communicate with the remoteserver device 308. In at least one embodiment, the blending device 310communications with both the user device 302 and the remote serverdevice 308.

The remote server device 308 may include various components such as arules component 342 (which may define rules for communications),business logic component 344 (which may provide statistical analysis,accounting services, or the like), a security component 348 (which mayselectively deny or allow a user device 302 or blending device 308access to data or services), a messaging component 350 (which maycontrol messages sent to user device 302, blending device 310, or otherdevices), and a device configuration component 352 (which may identifyhow a blending device 310 is configured). In another aspect, the remoteserver device 308 may include a management interface component 346 thatallows for access and maintenance of the remote server device 308.Moreover, the remote server device 308 may store information in datastorage component 354.

Remote server device 308 may include a server integration component 356that allows for communications with existing systems or custom designsystems. It is noted that the server integration component 356 maycommunicate with the service provider network 306 via middle warecomponent 360.

Service provider network 306 may include middleware component 360 thatallows for communication between the service provider network 306 andthe remote server device 308. In an aspect, the middleware component 306may comprise an on-premises middleware program that selectively grantsremote server device 308 access to back-end data or services fromservice provider network 306. This distribution of resources may allowfor more efficient access to back-end resources. For instance, theservice provider network 306 may allow for additional processing whileremote server device 308 is communicating with various user devices 302or blending devices 310. In another aspect, middleware component 360 maysecure access to back-end resources.

In some embodiments, service provider network 306 may include datawarehouse 366 for back-end data, enterprise resource planning (ERP)system 362 customer relationship management (CRM) application 364, andother resources 368. Middleware 360 may allow for communication betweenthese components within the service provider network 306 andcommunication between these components and remote server device 308.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary commercial kitchen system 400 inaccordance with aspects disclosed herein. It is noted that system 400may include various aspects described with reference to the otherfigures of this disclosure. For instance, system 400 may include theblender device 110 and/or aspects described with reference to userdevice 102.

Commercial food businesses that make recipe-based beverages struggle tohave consistency in their product. This may be caused by a number offactors including incorrect ingredients, incorrect order of theingredients, incorrect amounts of a given ingredient, and potentiallyincorrect processing of the ingredients.

Commercial kitchens must rely on proper training and well-definedprocedures to meet consistency requirements and manage time constraints.Such commercial kitchens may be subject to increasing numbers of productofferings, and these establishments frequently have a constant turnoverof employees. These issues make consistency in how a specific product ismade even more challenging. Color-coded measuring scoops andcustom-printed instructions for a given order are implemented in somecommercial kitchens to try to achieve the desired consistency in theirproducts.

System 400 may utilize containers 120, blender device 110, and variousstations deployed at preparation stations to ensure compliance in how aproduct is made. The stations may include programmable logiccontrollers, displays, interfaces, sensors, and other mechanical andelectrical devices as described herein.

For instance, system 400 may include an order-entry/POS station 401(which may receive an order), power dispense station 402 (which maydispense power), (water dispense station 403 (which may manually orautomatically dispense water or other liquids), fruit dispense station404 (which may manually or automatically dispense fruit or otherfoodstuff), ice and refrigerated product dispense station 405 (which maydispense temperature controlled foodstuff), and blender station 406(which may blend foodstuff). It is noted that various stations mayinclude a user device (e.g., tablets, cellular phones, set-top computerdevices, or the like), appliances, or the like. In another aspect, thestations may include communication devices such as NFC device(s) 410.The NFC devices 410, for instance, may communicate with an NFC device ofa container (e.g., container 120).

In an example, an employee may receive an order form a user and mayenter the order in POS station 401. It is noted that a user may enterthe order and/or may provide the order through a user device. The POSstation 401 may utilize NFC device 410 to read an ID of a blendingcontainer that may be stored in an NFC device of a container. The POSstation 401 may associate the ID of the container with the order, such aspecific drink to be made. It is noted that the POS station 401 maycommunicate the ID and order to a network device and/or may write theorder to the NFC device of the container. As the container is passed toeach station, the NFC devices 410 of each container may be used to:

-   -   provide station-specific instruction to the operator for the        drink to be made in the presented container,    -   automatically process a specific portion of the recipe process,        such as blending at a specific blend profile or adding the        correct amount of ice, water or other liquid ingredient,    -   prohibit a specific operation if that process is not used in the        recipe. For example, if water is not present in the recipe, then        the water dispense station can be automatically disabled when        the container for that order is presented to the water dispense        station,    -   prohibit a specific operation if the recipe requires a specific        sequence of preparation stations and the container is        out-of-sequence or not at the proper station, such as        prohibiting the blending operation until all ingredients have        been dispensed,    -   automatically capture metrics for the amount of time a container        is at each station for a specific recipe,    -   automatically capture metrics for the amount of time a specific        recipe takes to be made from order to final pour.

FIGS. 5-7 illustrate exemplary systems along with ordering andpreparation procedures. In an aspect, procedure may include a recipecomprising instructions to be executed at each station for a particularrecipe. FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary recipe and preparation procedure700. It is noted that the aspects of FIGS. 5-7 may be utilized withcomponents or systems described with reference to various other figures.

A commercial smart system 500 may include a point of sale system 502that may receive payment and orders. The point of sale system 502 mayinclude user interfaces as described herein. In an aspect, the point ofsale system 502 may include memory or be communicatively coupled to adatabase 514 that stores available products, profiles for blendingdevices, profiles for blending containers, user profiles, or the like.

In an example, a user may enter an order into the point of sale system502 via a touch screen, by sending an order through a user device (e.g.,via a mobile application), or the like. The order may container ablended product that is associated with a recipe. The point of salesystem 502 may then associate a specific blender container 520 with theorder. For example, a commercial kitchen may comprise several differentblender containers. This allows the kitchen to make multiple products atthe same time. The container 520 may be scanned by the point of salesystem 502 to provide an ID of the container. Scanning may include usingan image scanner (e.g., barcode scanner, camera, etc.), an NFC device,or other device to retrieve information from the container. It is notedthat the ID may be directly received from a memory device of a container520 or may be retrieved from a memory device of the point of sale system502 or the database 514. The point of sale system 502 may retrieve ahistoric profile for the container or may create a new profile for thecontainer if one does not exist. In an example, a container profile mayinclude various parameters associated with the container, such as amake, model, use history, ID, whether the container has been utilizedfor recipes containing allergens, or the like.

After selection of the container, a user may bring the container 520 tovarious stations, such as described in FIG. 4 . The stations (e.g.,exemplary station 510) may detect the container 502 and may determine anID of the container 502. Each station 510 may, for example: confirm thecontainer is associated with an active order; confirm the station is theactive station for the container's active order; gather thestation-specific parameters for the active order; if semi-automatic,enable the station operation once confirmed by the operator; ifautomatic, enable the station operation after a brief delay of containerdetection; and if a manual station, present the operator withinstructions of specific steps at this station for this particularorder.

It is noted that the station 510 may communicate with one or more of thecontainer 520, the point of sale system 502, or the database 514. Forinstance, the container 520 may comprise a memory and a wirelesscommunication device, such as an NFC tag. The memory may storeinformation regarding a current order associated with the container 520.The information may include, for example, a type of order,identification of ingredients, stage of order preparation, etc. Thestation 510 may read this information from the container 520 and mayupdate the status of the order after completion of a specific task, suchas dispensing an amount of an ingredient.

In other examples, the station 510 may communicate with the point ofsale system 502 or the database 514 to retrieve order information andupdate a status of an order association with the container 520.Moreover, the container 520, the point of sale system 502, or thedatabase 514, may each include order information that may be read andupdated. This may act as a redundancy check or back-up should any onecomponent become out of sync.

Turning to FIGS. 6-7 , there are various exemplary stations for acommercial kitchen system 600 where a point of sale system 602 is acentralized station for coordinating execution of a recipe via one ormore of the stations. The stations may include a water dispensingstation 610, a dry goods dispensing station 612, an ice dispensingstation 614, and a blender station 616. The point of sale system 602 andthe stations 610-116 may each include wireless or wired communicationdevices as described herein. It is noted that the commercial kitchensystem 600 may include various other stations, such as a producestation, frozen goods (e.g., frozen yogurt, ice cream, etc.) station, orthe like. Commercial kitchen users may add, remove, or utilize otherstations according to their needs.

The point of sale system 602 may associate container 620 with aparticular order. The order may include a recipe and preparationprocedure 700. The procedure 700 may identify ingredients to be added ateach station, operations to be executed at each station, an orderdefining which stations to should be visited and the like. The point ofsale system 602 identifies container 620 as described herein andassociations the container 620 with the procedure 700. The point of salesystem 602 may send to each station 610-116 all or part of the procedure700. For example, the point of sale system 602 may send to each stationonly the ingredients or operations for that station, or may send anentire recipe to the station. In another aspect, the point of salesystem 602 detects and stores an ID of the container and links theprocedure 700 with the ID, which is then stored in the point of salesystem 602.

As a user moves the container 620 to stations, the point of sale system602 may monitor the procedure 700's progress. For instance the point ofsale system 602 may determine expected wait time for a recipe to becompleted, whether the user has placed the container at a wrong station(e.g., a station not identified by the procedure 700 or a station thatis out of order), whether operations have been completed successfully orwhether there is a failure, and the like.

In an example, the water dispensing station 610 may then monitor for ordetect the container 620 and may determine the container ID. The waterdispensing station 610 may verify whether it has received instructionsfor the container 620 from the point of sale system 602. If it has notreceived instructions for the container 620, it may query the point ofsale system 602 for a recipe associated with the container 620. If norecipe is found, the user may return the container 620 to the point ofsale system 602. If a recipe is found, the point of sale system 602 maysend or resent instructions to the water dispensing station 610. It isnoted that the various other stations may monitor, detect, or determinethe container 620 or container ID. Moreover, the various other stationsmay similarly receive instructions for their specific operations oringredients.

The water dispensing station 610 may receive instructions regarding anamount of water or other fluid to add to the container 620. Theinstructions may be sent by the point of sale system 602. The amount maybe specified by volume, weight, a flowmeter counter, or the like. Thewater dispensing station 610 may include a manual or automatic waterdispensing device. For instance, a manual dispensing device may requirea user to initiate a dispensing process by activating a solenoid,opening a valve, or the like. The user may be required to terminate thedispensing and/or the dispensing may terminate automatically based onmonitoring of a flow meter or a weight change of the container. In afully automatic system, the water dispensing station 610 may determinewhether the container 620 is positioned to receive water from an outletand may automatically start and end dispensing.

The various other stations may similarly dispense ingredients. Forinstance, the dry goods dispensing station 612 may include a steppermotor to dispense dry goods. As another example, ice dispensing station614 may dispense ice as cubes or as shaved ice via an ice shaving motor.The various motors may be manually or automatically activated. Accordingto some embodiments, the stations 610-616 automatically turn off ordeactivate their respective motors if they detect that the container 620has been removed from the station. Moreover, blender station 616 mayturn off its motor if the container 620 does not include a lid.

It is further noted that the stations may require a user to manually addingredients to the container 620. Such stations may comprise userinterfaces that a user interacts with to view instructions. Theinterfaces may allow the user to provide an indication of when theactions are complete. In some embodiments, the stations may includeweight scales, optical recognition devices, or other devices that candetect addition of ingredients to the container 620 and mayautomatically alert a user when the proper amount of an ingredient hasbeen added. Moreover the station may alert a user when an improperingredient or improper amount (e.g., too much, too little, etc.) of aningredient has been added.

In at least some embodiments, the stations 610-616 may report a statusto the point of sale system 602. An exemplary status may identifywhether actions were successfully performed, not successfully performed,whether or what type of an error occurred (e.g., out of ingredients,dispenser malfunctioning, etc.), or the like. As an example, the waterdispensing station 610 may send the point of sale system an indicationthat liquid has been dispensed without error. The point of sale system602 may determine that the operations for the water dispensing station610 are complete and may determine the next station to which thecontainer 620 should be taken for a given recipe. The various otherstations may similarly send status information to the point of salesystem 602 and the point of sale system 602 may determine a next stationor step for a user to perform.

Moreover, the point of sale system 602 may determine whether a user hastaken the container 620 to a wrong station or has taken the container620 to a wrong order of stations. The point of sale system 602 maygenerate an alert on an interface or may send an alert to the station atwhich the container 620 is located or to the container 620 itself. Assuch, the container 620 or the station (e.g., stations 610-16) may alertthe user that the container 620 is at the wrong station and may indicateto which station the container 620 should be delivered.

What has been described above may be further understood with referenceto the following figures. FIGS. 8 and 9 provide exemplary operatingenvironments or systems capable of implementing one or more systems,apparatuses, or processes described above. FIGS. 8 and 9 are notintended to limit the scope of such systems, apparatuses, or processes.By way of example, computing environment 800 may refer to one or moreembodiment of the various embodiments described with reference to theabove figures. However, variations to computing environment 800 may beobvious to achieve aspects or processes described herein.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a computing environment 800 inaccordance with various disclosed aspects. It is noted that environment800 may include various other components or aspects. As depicted, system800 may include one or more client(s) 802, one or more server(s) 804,one or more client data store(s) 820, one or more server data store(s)810, and a communication framework 806.

While depicted as a desktop computer(s), client(s) 802 may includevarious other devices that may comprise hardware and/or software (e.g.,program threads, processes, computer processors, non-transitory memorydevices, etc.). In an example, client(s) 802 may include laptopcomputers, smart phones, tablet computers, blender devices, wearables,etc.). The client(s) 802 may include or employ various aspects disclosedherein. For example, client(s) 802 may include or employ all or part ofvarious systems (e.g., system 100) and processes disclosed herein.

Likewise, server(s) 804 may include various devices that may comprisehardware and/or software (e.g., program threads, processes, computerprocessors, non-transitory memory devices, etc.). Server(s) 804 mayinclude or employ various aspects disclosed herein. For example,server(s) 804 may include or employ all or part of various (e.g., system100) and processes disclosed herein. It is noted that server(s) 804 andclient(s) 802 may communicate via communication framework 806. In anexemplary communication, client(s) 802 and server(s) 804 may utilizepacketed data (e.g., data packets) adapted to be transmitted between twoor more computers. For instance, data packets may include codedinformation associated with blending processes, dietary information ofingredients, or the like.

Communication framework 806 may comprise various network devices (e.g.,access points, routers, base stations, etc.) that may facilitatecommunication between client(s) 802 and server(s) 804. It is notedvarious forms of communications may be utilized, such as wired (e.g.,optical fiber, twisted copper wire, etc.) and/or wireless (e.g.,cellular, Wi-Fi, near field communication, etc.) communications.

In various embodiments, client(s) 802 and server(s) 804 may respectivelyinclude or communicate with one or more client data store(s) 820 or oneor more server data store(s) 810. The data stores may store data localto client(s) 802 or server(s) 804.

In at least one embodiment, a client of client(s) 802 may transfer datadescribing a recipe, user account data, ratings, or the like to a serverof server(s) 804. The server may store the data and/or employ processesto alter the data. For example, the server may transmit the data toother clients of client(s) 802.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a computer system 900 that may be employedto execute various disclosed embodiments. It is noted that variouscomponents may be implement in combination with computer executableinstructions, hardware devices, and/or combinations of hardware andsoftware devices that may be performed by computer system 900.

Computer system 900 may include various components, hardware devices,software, software in execution, and the like. In embodiments, computersystem 900 may include computer 900. Computer 900 may include a systembus 908 that couples various system components. Such components mayinclude a processing unit(s) 904, system memory device(s) 906, diskstorage device(s) 914, sensor(s) 935, output adapter(s) 934, interfaceport(s) 930, and communication connection(s) 944. One or more of thevarious components may be employed to perform aspects or embodimentsdisclosed herein. In an aspect, the computer system 900 may “learn,”such as described above user preferences based upon modifications ofrecipes by users, through rating of recipes both positively andnegatively. For example, the computer system 900 may modify a particularrecipe (or a set thereof) as the majority of users or supermajoritythereof have disapproved of the recipe (such as for taste, texture,consistency, temperature, or a variety of these factors). The computersystem 900 may dynamically push out the revised recipe or receive therevised recipe as applicable.

Processing unit(s) 904 may comprise various hardware processing devices,such as single core or multi-core processing devices. Moreover,processing unit(s) 904 may refer to a “processor,” “controller,”“computing processing unit (CPU),” or the like. Such terms generallyrelate to a hardware device. Additionally, processing unit(s) 904 mayinclude an integrated circuit, an application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmablegate array (FPGA), a programmable logic controller (PLC), a complexprogrammable logic device (CPLD), a discrete gate or transistor logic,discrete hardware components, or the like.

System memory 906 may include one or more types of memory, such volatilememory 910 (e.g., random access memory (RAM)) and non-volatile memory912 (e.g., read-only memory (ROM)). ROM may include erasableprogrammable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM(EEPROM). In various embodiments, processing unit(s) 904 may executecomputer executable instructions stored in system memory 906, such asoperating system instructions and the like.

Computer 902 may also include one or more hard drive(s) 914 (e.g., EIDE,SATA). While hard drive(s) 914 are depicted as internal to computer 902,it is noted that hard drive(s) 914 may be external and/or coupled tocomputer 902 via remote connections. Moreover, input port(s) 930 mayinclude interfaces for coupling to input device(s) 928, such as diskdrives. Disk drives may include components configured to receive, readand/or write to various types of memory devices, such as magnetic disks,optical disks (e.g., compact disks and/or other optical media), flashmemory, zip drives, magnetic tapes, and the like.

It is noted that hard drive(s) 914 and/or other disk drives (ornon-transitory memory devices in general) may store data and/orcomputer-executable instructions according to various describedembodiments. Such memory devices may also include computer-executableinstructions associated with various other programs or modules. Forinstance, hard drives(s) 914 may include operating system modules,application program modules, and the like. Moreover, aspects disclosedherein are not limited to a particular operating system, such as acommercially available operating system.

Input device(s) 928 may also include various user interface devices orother input devices, such as sensors (e.g., microphones, pressuresensors, light sensors, etc.), scales, cameras, scanners, facsimilemachines, and the like. A user interface device may generateinstructions associated with user commands. Such instructions may bereceived by computer 902. Examples of such interface devices include akeyboard, mouse (e.g., pointing device), joystick, remote controller,gaming controller, touch screen, stylus, and the like. Input port(s) 930may provide connections for the input device(s) 928, such as viauniversal serial ports USB ports), infrared (IR) sensors, serial ports,parallel ports, wireless connections, specialized ports, and the like.

Output adapter(s) 934 may include various devices and/or programs thatinterface with output device(s) 936. Such output device(s) 936 mayinclude LEDs, computer monitors, touch screens, televisions, projectors,audio devices, printing devices, or the like.

In embodiments, computer 902 may be utilized as a client and/or a serverdevice. As such, computer 902 may include communication connection(s)944 for connecting to a communication framework 942. Communicationconnection(s) 944 may include devices or components capable ofconnecting to a network. For instance, communication connection(s) 944may include cellular antennas, wireless antennas, wired connections, andthe like. Such communication connection(s) 944 may connect to networksvia communication framework 942. The networks may include wide areanetworks, local area networks, facility or enterprise wide networks(e.g., intranet), global networks (e.g., Internet), satellite networks,and the like. Some examples of wireless networks include Wi-Fi, Wi-Fidirect, BLUETOOTH™, Zigbee, and other 802.XX wireless technologies. Itis noted that communication framework 942 may include multiple networksconnected together. For instance, a Wi-Fi network may be connected to awired Ethernet network.

The terms “component,” “module,” “system,” “interface,” “platform,”“service,” “framework,” “connector,” “controller,” or the like aregenerally intended to refer to a computer-related entity. Such terms mayrefer to at least one of hardware, software, or software in execution.For example, a component may include a computer-process running on aprocessor, a processor, a device, a process, a computer thread, or thelike. In another aspect, such terms may include both an applicationrunning on a processor and a processor. Moreover, such terms may belocalized to one computer and/or may be distributed across multiplecomputers.

What has been described above includes examples of the presentspecification. It is, of course, not possible to describe everyconceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes ofdescribing the present specification, but one of ordinary skill in theart may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of thepresent specification are possible. Each of the components describedabove may be combined or added together in any permutation to define theblending system 100. Accordingly, the present specification is intendedto embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fallwithin the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to theextent that the term “includes” is used in either the detaileddescription or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in amanner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpretedwhen employed as a transitional word in a claim.

What is claimed is:
 1. A blender system comprising: a blender basecomprising a housing and a motor disposed within the housing; acontainer selectively connected to the blender base; and a user deviceoperatively communicating with the blender base, wherein the user deviceoperatively alters an inventory stored in a memory, wherein theinventory comprises a list of ingredients and quantities of theavailable ingredients based on recognizing ingredients and monitoringuse of the ingredients.
 2. The blender system of claim 1, wherein theuser device comprises at least one sensor operatively capturing an imageof at least one ingredient, capturing an image of packaging of the atleast one ingredient, a bar code associated with the at least oneingredient, or an identification code associated with the at least oneingredient.
 3. The blender system of claim 1, further comprising aweight sensor that operatively measures an amount of at least oneingredient added into the container.
 4. The blender system of claim 3,wherein the user device monitors the use of the ingredients by alteringthe inventory based at least in part on measurements received from theweight sensor.
 5. The blender system of claim 3, wherein the containercomprises the weight sensor.
 6. The blender system of claim 3, whereinthe blender base comprises the weight sensor.
 7. The blender system ofclaim 3, wherein the weight sensor is selectively attached to at leastone of the blender base or the container.
 8. The blender system of claim1, wherein the user device operatively sends instructions to a remotedatabase to alter the inventory.
 9. A blender system comprising: ablender base comprising a housing and a motor disposed within thehousing; a container selectively connected to the blender base; a userdevice operatively communicating with the blender base; and a remotecomputing device communicatively coupled to the user device, wherein theuser device generates instructions for preparation of foodstuffaccording to information received from the remote computing device. 10.The blender system of claim 9, wherein the remote computing devicecomprises an application program interface defining protocols forcommunication with at least one of the blender base or the user device.11. The blender system of claim 9, wherein the remote computing devicecomprises a business logic component.
 12. The blender system of claim11, wherein the business logic component receives information from theblender base regarding sensory data.
 13. The blender system of claim 12,wherein the business logic component automatically orders ingredientsbased on a history of foodstuff preparation.
 14. A blender systemcomprising: a point of sale device operatively receiving input definingan order of a product to be blended; a blender station comprising ablender base comprising a housing and a motor disposed within thehousing; and at least one other station for preparing the product;wherein the point of sale device associates a blending container withthe product and defines a set of instructions for preparing the product,the set of instructions to be performed at least partially at theblender station and the at least one other station.
 15. The blendersystem of claim 14, wherein the point of sale device, the blenderstation, and the at least one other station each comprise at least onenear field communication device.
 16. The blender system of claim 15,wherein the blending container comprises a near field communicationdevice and that stores an identification token and communicates theidentification token with at least one of the point of sale device, theblender station, and the at least one other station.
 17. The blendersystem of claim 16, wherein the point of sale device associates theidentification token with the order.
 18. The blender system of claim 16,wherein the at least one other station identifies and operativelycommunicates with the near field communication device of the containerto receive the identification token, and communicate with the point ofsale device to determine whether the identification token is associatewith an open order.
 19. The blender system of claim 16, wherein the atleast one station comprises at least one of a liquid dispensing station,a dry-goods dispensing station, or an ice dispensing station.
 20. Theblender system of claim 16, further comprising a database storingblending container profiles, the blending container profiles comprisingidentification tokens and histories of use.